Riverside Jazz Festival Debuts Sept. 25 & 26 with White & Whalum

OneSource Marketing, Inc. will debut the 2004 Riverside Jazz Festival at Fairmount Park in Riverside, California on September 25 and 26.

The two-day festival runs from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. each day at Fairmount Park, one of Californias oldest historic parks founded in 1870. The September 25 line up includes the legendary guitarist Peter White, the Braxton Brothers and Marcus Johnson. The September 26 line up includes Grammy nominated saxophonists Kirk Whalum, Doc Powell and L.A. Mambo Combo. More smooth jazz artists will be announced soon, said Tiffany Jones, president of OneSource Marketing, Inc. and jazz festival executive producer.

Ticket prices are $45 per day for General Admission, $78 for a one day VIP Pass and $160 for a one day Platinum Pass. Weekend passes are $70 per person for General Admission and childrens tickets (12 and under) are $20 per day. Group discount tickets are also available.

Onsite parking is provided for Platinum Pass holders. Free park and ride services are available from the Downtown Riverside Metrolink Station, Riverside City College and near the Downtown Pedestrian Mall for General Admission and VIP ticket holders. Tickets can be purchased and printed online at or by calling the box office at 951.780.8880.

The late 1980s and early 1990s saw Kirk Whalum recording and performing with Nancy Wilson, Al Jarreau, Luther Vandross, Barbara Streisand, Quincy Jones and others. He recorded on movie soundtracks Boyz N the Hood, Grand Canyon, The Prince of Tides and Whitney Houstons 1993 release, The Bodyguard.

In 1974, at the age of 20, Peter White started playing guitar and keyboards with Al Stewart, the famous Scottish folk singer. In 1987, he played guitar for artist Basia on her multi-platinum debut, Time and Tide. In 1988, White launched his solo career. Since then he has collaborated with numerous other artists including Boney James, Richard Elliot, Janis Ian (At Seventeen), Dave Koz, Gerald Albright, and most notably, Grover Washington, Jr., who passed away in 1999.

The Riverside Jazz Festival is a project that weve been exploring and planning for almost two years. Our research indicated that there is a need for more quality entertainment in the Inland Empire. Also, it is time to bring a jazz festival back to Riverside, said Jones.

The main festival grounds are surrounded by Fairmount Parks historic band shell, Lake Fairmount, the boathouse and picnic area with easy access to food and speciality retail booths. They include a food pavilion, beverage stations and arts and crafts dealers. The festival still seeks vendors to join the two-day festival, said Jones.

While the City of Riverside is a sponsor of the Riverside Jazz Festival, The citys help is limited because it doesnt have the resources or know-how to do anything more at this time, said Riverside Councilman Dom Betro. Shes really taken all the risks, Betro said of Jones dedication to the project. Ms. Jones is plugging away at it.

The City Park and Recreation Department is doing its part to spruce up Fairmount Park. We are trimming trees, painting the band shell, refurbishing and painting benches and picnic tables, planting new grass, and cleaning all over the park, especially on the east end near the band shell, said Robin Metz, Recreation Superintendent for Riverside City Park and Recreation Department.

We have had ongoing efforts to clean up and rehabilitate the park for the last year, but since the new Park Superintendent, Shirley Bennett, started six months ago we have really hastened the pace of improvements, said Metz.

We expect this jazz festival to be a fun and exciting weekend for everyone in attendance. We are especially grateful to the City of Riverside for their support and sponsorship of the Riverside Jazz Festival. As a jazz fan, event producer and resident of Riverside, I want this event to bring together people of all ages and diverse cultures. Also, as a proud resident of Riverside, I want to showcase the beauty and heritage of our city, said Jones.

Add comment

By using our comment system, you agree to not post profane, vulgar, offensive, or slanderous comments. Spam and soliciting are strictly prohibited. Violation of these rules will result in your comments being deleted and your IP Address banned from accessing our website in the future. Your e-mail address will NOT be published, sold or used for marketing purposes.